Mad Pineapples - has joined as our new Tournament Reporter, he'll be giving that section a makeover and adding his own personal touch. He has taken over from Night Strike who i thank for temporarily filling in while we found someone new.

Wollffystyle - has joined the team as a free-range writer, and is starting a new article this issue named "What the Howl?".

elfish_lad - has been writing for us for the last 2 issues and has been going really well, so we decided to offer him a more official position. He is also a free-range writer who has an article called "A Newt's Tale".

We wish them all the best as they settle into their new roles, please make them feel welcome

We've also got some changes to the structure of the Newsletter, with "Foundry News" and "Clan News" going monthly. That's right, the Clan and Foundry sections of the newsletter will be alternating from issue to issue. We hope that this is just the first of many improvements to the newsletter.

We've also got new Ask a Mod, where we are out of questions so visit the thread and let Night Strike know what is on your mind. As well as our usual bits and pieces, an interview with glide and two new articles "What the Howl?" and "A Newt's Tale"!

Title:Community Opinion ReporterJob Description: This person would be required to gather opinions from the CC community, through the use of Polls and Discussions in the forums, about issues regarding ConquerClub, and it's practices. In order to form an accurate representation of the Opinion of the ConquerClub Community.

The overall aim of the Community Opinion Reporter is to communicate the opinions of the ConquerClub Community about topics regarding the practices of CC and any important topics currently circulating CC.

If interested in the above position, please fill out the simple form below and send it via PM to samuelc812.

This section helps you the member gain a little more understanding about Team CC and parts of the site that you may be unclear with. Note: The views expressed in the article are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily express the views of the other moderators or administrators.

colton24 wrote:is lack or someone thinking bout making a how to become a mod handbook? with more detial then the thing on the help page

I doubt it. There are many different tools/guides available for moderators to know how to moderate, but I don't think there's any reason to make a handbook for becoming a mod. The steps are simple: follow the community guidelines, be helpful around the forums, don't be annoying, and don't ask to be a mod. Individuals are nominated by the community or requested by a current moderator. If you keep asking current moderators if you can become one, you'll probably just get annoying. It's much better to contribute to the site and be approached rather than selling yourself.

owenshooter wrote:isn't there a minimum age someone has to be before they can be considered a mod? has lack or anyone thought of increasing the lower age range, to eliminate children running amok on power trips?-0

I have no idea. The admins may have a policy, but I'm not privy to that. I just submit feedback on individuals when requested. As far as running amok goes, any moderator who does that is going to get their tools and position pulled pretty quickly. Abusing the moderator tools is a pretty serious issue as far as I know.

I will answer more questions next issue. If you would like to submit a question, please post them in the Ask A Mod thread. As of this writing, I'm down to 1 question set in my database, so I'm needing some more submitted questions. Thanks.

Over recent weeks there have been several tournaments appearing based upon the Random Map function. This new feature is highly popular amongst all ranks due its element of surprise. These tournaments have been highly succesful and many of the community particularly enjoy it's use. In this issue we'll be asking hosts of tournaments about the use of the Random Map, and also querying contenders within these tournaments.

Random DoublesThis tournament consisted of sixteen two-player teams. Each team would play one game against another on a Random Map with pre-determined settings. The layout was simple: if you lost you were out; win and advance. The host of this tournament, Jace22, had this to say:

"I suppose the highlight of the random map feature would be it helps to create a more well balanced player, as they might end up playing on a map they've never played before. So, this new feature helps out relatively new players like myself, by giving us more experience on a wider variety of maps. I think that this is the first step in creating a 'be prepared for anything' experience on ConquerClub. Next, Lack needs to create a random settings feature for players to use.

"I like Random Maps, so I wasn't wary. I just see them as a way to avoid map specialists. They tend to be rather strong."

"The tournament was okay, but knock-out and Random Maps combined was a bit risky. I would have hated to play Doodle Earth, and be the second team to move. But luckily that chance isn't very high, there are a lot of good maps to play, so I see it as an improvement."

"No, prior to that tournament I hadn't played any tournaments using the Random Map function. I do not feel that it hindered the tournament at all. I enjoyed the unpredictability of the games. I think that knowing so many maps worked in my favour. It made it a lot more fun. In addition, it helps out well-rounded players instead of individuals who simply focus on certain maps."

Chemefreak, and snakedoctor, who both ran this thoroughly enjoyable tournament (I was in it), were able to explain to us why they chose to use Random Maps and how it affected their tournament:

"The reason that snakedoctor and I (chemefreak) were so interested in implementing the Random function into one of our tournaments is the 'risk' that players are taking by entering. Normally, players will not enter into tournaments where they are not familiar with a certain map because they feel they will not perform well. For instance, I would never personally enter a Waterloo map tournament...it is just not a map I understand that well. However, in a Random tournament, that could very well be the map that decides the final. So we believe that the players that choose to join a tournament utilizing the Random Map are those that believe they are the most well-rounded. Our first use of the Random Map attracted many talented players and made for a very enjoyable and unpredictable tournament."

"As for what players expected, we think that many players are not willing to join a Random Map tournament. If the final map were on Waterloo, no matter what the settings, I would stand very little to any chance of winning. Most players feel that way about some of the maps. So yes, players are turned off by the Random function, but we think those that did join the tournament were up to the challenge and enjoyed it even more due to the unexpected nature of the matches."

"We believe that the tournament was very succesful. It filled up within a week and was over in about two weeks. We plan on running more Random Map tournaments, and now that we know there is a desire to play in them, we will be expanding the field and perhaps the format. More to come in the next couple of weeks on that one."

It appears that tournaments using Random Maps have become very popular and won't be disappearing anytime soon, as two new tournaments featuring this delightful addition are still recruiting. If you're interested in checking out what a tournament with Random Maps is like check out HA's Random 1v1 Major+, or Bart's Modern Random Tournament, now!

Hello Conquerors!Good news from the foundry in this issue. Two new playable maps and three quenched. Some new stickied maps in the main foundry and in the final forge.

To see the full sized preview of the following maps just click on the title of the map, to visit the map development thread

Mapping Development Summary

Main Foundry

[Stickied]

Englandby MrBennAfter all the hard work done to balance gameplay of this green and pleasant land, now it's all downhill for MrBenn. Recently stamped for graphics this map is almost ready for the Final Forge.

World Citiesby sully800Change of sides! Even if stamped both for gameplay and graphics, the mapmaker is currently working on a switched layout for this map.

Antarcticaby e_i_piFirst abandoned, then on vacation and finally back! Now the final forge is around the corner for this map.

Das Schloßby cairnswkAfter being stopped to fix some gameplay problems, this map was stamped again for gameplay and will be available for playing (beta) very soon.

Vancouverby shakeycatNYC map style, but with a woman's touch. Just coordinates need fixing for this canadian girl. We will not have to wait so long to play her first map.

Feudal Epicby gimil & yeti_cWe are waiting eagerly to play the Feudal War sequel. Anyway yeti_c probably will be ready with his xml in the near future. Be patient

Chessby john9blueTricky first project for john9blue, spending 2 years crawling it's way through the foundry. This map combines the graphics and gameplay of chess and mix them with the CC rules, creating a map with a new type of gameplay.

Austerlitzby pamoaThird map for Pamoa, for this one he chose Napoleon's greatest victory, Austerlitz. Easy graphic and nice gameplay around army units for this map.

Gilgameshby oaktownThis map project began as an entry to Centerscape (now Midgard) competition, then became a map about the ancient Mesopotamia.A classic gameplay with a wonderful graphics. Oaktown strikes again!

Germany 2by pepperonibreadNot easy beta phase for this map. Indeed there are lots of discussion, especially about legibility and the differences from the original version.

A: lol....I'm told I move like a bear, and apparently I often make bear-like noises without realizing it. (or so I hear) It's an old nickname of mine, and the "old" part was attached when I officially became older than dirt!

Q: Please explain your fascination with Polar Bear's?

A: Remember that old question we all got asked years ago? "If you could come back as an animal...etc?) I have always identified with white bears for some reason. So, when I had to pick an avatar, I decided to use various shots of polar bears, to show mood, reaction, and opinions without using words. For example, my sometimes "less-than-stellar" game moves often prompt me to change my avatar to one of the "paw over the eyes" shots...

Q: Is "xigames" a Social or Competitive Clan?

A: XI is listed as a social group as opposed to a clan. We do not take part in Clan Wars, or enter tourneys as XI teams. Because our code of conduct forbids truces, alliances, bad language, and dishonorable tactics, we find that works best for us. There are many fine clans out there, and we wish them every success, but as a group, we are quite happy with our ways. Of course our members are free to enter any tourneys or games they wish as individual players. In fact, that's how we often find many new prospective members.

Q: What keeps you coming back to Conquer Club?

A: I've played Risk since buying a game in 1969 to take to sea with me whilst in the navy. I was late getting into computers, and only got my first one Oct 2006...and a month later, discovered CC! I retired with a full pension from the Canadian Navy, and for many years after I worked as a pub musician here on Vancouver Island. That leaves my days free....guess where I spend much of the day? lol

Q: If you had to choose your closest friend here on CC, who would that be exactly?

A: I have lots of friends on CC, but KoolBak is by far my closest friend here.

Q: What is xigames all about?

A: Our motto sums it up in one sentence: "XI Games-Friends Killing Friends, with Honor"We have over 110 active members, and our own hidden forum. It's a close knit "family" type group....and we have many "perks" to being members. Turn sitting, help with almost any problem, good competition, and the knowledge that you are not going to meet a jerk, an unfair player, or be confronted with shady tactics in an XI game are just a few of them. We have a "vetting" system for prospective members, and you must be invited to "pledge" and be sponsored by a member to begin entry qualification. To become qualified you simply have to kill your sponsor in a game designated as a pledge game. You don't have to win the game, but YOU must kill the sponsor. It ain't always easy, and it gives members a few games to get to know the pledge. I'm always surprised at the game chat, or lack of game chat, in many public games. Our games are usually full of lively, and often hilarious chat.....matter of fact we even have a "funny game chat" thread.....cracks me up every time I read it...and it's always being added to.

Q: If you could implement one change on this site, what would it be?

A: One of the reasons 99% of my usual 50 or so games are with XI members, is because of the frustration and anger I was experiencing in public games. Of course there are thousands of great players, and good people here, most of whom I haven't met.....but..the one change I would make would be to implement much harsher punishments for cheats, and abusers. If I hadn't discovered XI and been invited in, I no doubt would have either left CC, or restricted my games to playing only proven friends and honorable people. Basically, if I can't "reach out and do an attitude adjustment" when it's needed, I don't need the aggravation and simply stay away from those situations.

Q: If there was a map that you would like to see made, what would it be?

A: I'd love to see a "Battle of the Atlantic" map. And, although I don't like ALL the available maps we now have, I gotta send out hearty congrats and attaboys to our map makers...their talents amaze me.

Q: How many times has someone turned you into a rug?

A: Many many times. And the master Wacicha even went as far as creating my "nightmare"....I still shudder when I see it:

Q: Do you have any cubs of your own, if so how many? and what are their names?

A: Yes, I have two sons. Scott owns a small flooring company in Ottawa Ontario, and Ty is a successful actor in movies and TV series. He is currently filming Defying Gravity, and also working on a movie. His acting credits are listed in the link on my profile for anyone interested. No doubt many members would recognize him from various shows, movies, etc.

Q: Is there a Mrs.Glide?

A: There will be shortly. My sweetie and I have lived together for 3 years, and became engaged last Xmas. We plan a small wedding this autumn.

Q: What is a Polar Bear's favourite snack?

A: Seals, and any other mammal it can catch, including slow moving people.

Q: If there was a Polar Bear emoticon how often would you use it?

A: Probably just often enough to get sick of it.

Q: If you created this site, what would you have called it instead of Conquer Club?

A: Considering all the names for war type games online, CC is an excellent one. If I had to choose another one, my warped sense of humor would probably kick in, and we'd all be stuck playing a game called "Florkle" or some dumb thing....

The Soviets have control of the Premier, Launch Code and their entire missile, get ready to duck and cover. The not so proverbial stuff has hit the fan.

"Well," The Green Man states, "we have our own weapons of mass destruction and the ability to attack first. Those Reds will have to sustain my bombardments as all they can do is watch in horror." The Green Man is an obvious allegory to Capitalism* and he subsequently fails to so much as shorten the Soviet bread line with his assault.

Back in another hemisphere, another Red Man** did a surprisingly good job keeping morale after a French assault against their Inuit homeland. Armed only with snowballs ans whaling spears, the Inuit troops eschewed defeat by combining their tenacity and intensity into cube form and rolled it out in Heroic fashion.

These two scenarios hold one notable element in common. They are both infeasible outcomes in real life. As big of a fan of the Native American as I am, I recognize that victory didn't come too often for them when battling the sordid swords of the European Continent. Moreover, I wouldn't be a patriotic American if I didn't make it evidently clear that Capitalism is much too resolute to fall in any race against Communism. Furthermore, I recognize that the Allies couldn't hold so much as an single die against the "Desert Fox" in the WWII battle of Gazala. Finally, we should be aware that the Imperial Dynasty, on the real Lake Minstellian plains are by far and away the strongest of all the Feudal Kingdoms; they could never lose.

Would it be far-fetched to suggest that real life plays no important role in the outcomes of Conquer Club battle? Surely, historical truth is castoff when Napoleon finds new found possibility and chance at Waterloo in this brand new online arena.

With the ability to rewrite history, Conquer-Clubbers utilize their own tools and weapons to settle historical (and futuristic) disputes. We wield speed, plans, surprise and delay tactics, collaboration and game-chat negotiations to work our way through the inextricably wound fabrics of time. We breathe life into possible outcomes that could have never otherwise occurred, and we do so with our own strategies.

No where else does a two pair have the opportunity beat a flush but in Conquer Club poker***. Welcome to Conquer Club where you can become a Mogul, Drug Lord, King, Top Boss, or a Canadian.-----------------------------------------*Or a dancing man in Spandex from FX's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia"**I'm neither xenophobic nor racist. I'm simply clueless of any other thought to use than this hackneyed symbol of the Natives.***Texas Hold'em too, but quit your nitpicking...

If I ever were to open a bar, that’s what I would call it. “Five O’clock Somewhere.” I think it would really catch on and resonate with the early morning crowd. Well, this regular spot in the CC Newsletter is about as close as I’m going to get to that so I’ll use the name for this article. That’s right! I’ve been asked to write a regular article for awhile! Thanks to you and your positive feedback! (I guess the negative feedback got lost in the mail.)

I’ve got to say, as a new member at CC that’s quite an honor. So pull up a bar stool and your favorite beverage (nonalcoholic for those under age… unless you live in Canada where we start drinking beer at birth) and let’s see what’s what for a Newt like me.

I use the term “newt” a lot. A newt is a lizard right? Newts are a bit flighty. They hug the earth. They creep along. Some say they are the lowest of the low. Something like a (ready for it?) new… recruit. Get it? New recruit… New…t. Ack. Don’t shake your head like that. I thought it was pretty dang good!

But I always try to embrace my inner Newtness. Why fight it? If you are a Newt here at CC why get ticked off when a grizzled veteran of 12,271 Feudal Map Campaigns (that map is crazy nuts) gives you grief when you show your Newty Self in the third game you’ve played? For example: Grizzly Bear says to you in the game chat: “Newt!!! Freakin’ Newt!!! WHY Newter did you just take my expensive watch, hit it with a hammer, drive over it with your uncle’s Hummer, post the pictures online, and then flush it down the toilet... twice?!?! You’ve just handed Green the game in a nicely gift wrapped box… with a pretty pink bow!!!” How should you respond? (Please choose only one.)

a. Get cocky and mention how many games of… erm… uh… that strategy game that Hasbro makes that has little cannons and a map, that they threaten to sue the arse off of anyone who messes with… yeah… that game, you’ve played.

b. Argue with the Grizzly Bear quite confidently because you had that weekend course in Shōrin-ryū Karate (pronounced: 小林流, 松林流) down at the gym.

d. Hang your head in shame and mutter something like: “Ack.” Maybe even something like “you are right.” Or “sorry.”

e. Something else entirely.

Although I’m often tempted (being the competitive guy that I am) to respond with “b” I’m pretty sure that’s not the best way to go. But hey, maybe you like being chunks of meat experiencing the process of digestion in a bear’s stomach. Who knows? To each his or her own I guess.

Bottom line I think is this: at first, no matter the training, no matter past experience, odds are as a Newt you are going to make some blunders. Don’t take the chewing off of your tail personally. Newt’s grow new ones. Sometimes they even grow a pair. And if you are willing to learn, some day grasshopper you will turn into a powerful Komodo Dragon. Or a beautiful butterfly. Yeah.

Kurt Russell Is My Friend

Have you ever seen that movie with Kurt Russell called Tombstone? There is this scene where he and his buddies are pinned down by the bad guys. It looks hopeless. Then Kurt gets his blood-lust on baby. He gets it on real good. Grabbing his two six-shooters he gets up, crosses the stream, firing like crazy, all the time saying, “No… No!!! NOOOOO!!!!!” He takes them all out. Yeah. I think about that scene a lot when I’m playing. It doesn’t work in reality. Not at CC. Here is how the scene really plays out in a game:

a. Elfish_lad gets ticked off because the enemy hasn’t done what he wantsb. He brings his stack of troops down with swift vengeance upon the cause of his griefc. His wife meets with the local ministerd. They pick hymns for the funerale. A couple of old high school friends say a few kind words about The Elff. His wife and family receive the heart-felt sympathies of the two dozen attendeesg. Some after funeral sandwiches are sharedh. The Elf’s remains are put in an urn which is placed on the top self of the hall closeti. The Elf’s wife remarriesj. The End.

At least that’s been my experience. Sure is hard to resist though. Famed warrior Sun Tzu said, “What is essential in war is victory, not prolonged operations.” Yeah. Well. Shut up Sunny, you never played THIS game!

But Kurt Russell’s words of “NOOOO!!!” have come to mind in other ways. Like when I watch, with utter disbelief as a game in hand slips away. Ever been there? “No… No!!! NOOOOO!!!!!” That’s what you say.

It happened to me the other night in a speed game. It was looking good. The Elfish Armies had the high ground. Supply lines were set. All my troops had been on shore leave and came back refreshed (except for the odd STD). I was poised for the Final Conflict: Armageddon by Elf. It was going to be glorious. I could even envision the after victory parade through the Sylvan Woods. I was just waiting for my turn. And then it happened: a full moon rose above the trees and my seemly passive enemy turned into The Werewolf from The Abyss. I was devoured. Completely and with mustard and relish.

Hmmm… eating cards worth 55 armies tastes GOOD! Like chicken!

But in hindsight, here is the reality: it wasn’t my luck (or lack thereof) with the cards or the dice. It wasn’t how the other players played (good or bad according to my strategy). I was out played. Sucks to admit. Even for a Newt.

Another movie line comes to mind. From A Knight’s Tale: “you’ve been weighed, you’ve been measured, and you’ve been found wanting.” It happens. To me at least. Probably not to you though. So next time, when you and I are playing a game, and you come storming out of the woods all claws and teeth, don’t forget to bring the barbeque sauce. It will make my defeat taste sweeter. Or not.

It's closing time. Fight on brothers and sisters. Fight on.

Elf.

Stay Tuned for the next issue of the Conquer Club Newsletter for an interview with Timminz. Post any questions you may have for Timminz here --> Interview with Timminz

Submitting Your Own Articles

If you have a story you think the Conquer Club Community would find interesting, you can submit your articles to samuelc812 or gimil. If the CC News Team enjoy it than you may just see your article published in the Newsletter!

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As a newer member I enjoyed reading through this issue and I like to see that CC is a site that people not only join, but are active in, and encouraged to help in its evolution. Looking forward to many more issues.

I can answer the "Ask a Mod" question in regards to age, The official policy is that for anyone to be given moderator powers, of any kind, they need to be at least.As far as I know, an exception has only been made once.